NORTHWICH Rugby Club have recognised and honoured two of their stalwarts.

Ron McLaverty and Roger Blake have been made life members of the club, acknowledging their long-standing and catalystic contribution.

They were presented with specially produced caps in Northwich colours of black with gold trimmings, and with their names embroidered on.

This took place at the President’s Day luncheon and Christmas dinner.

Former captain, chairman and Mayor of Northwich, Cllr Sam Naylor spoke highly of the commitment and the longing legacy of both men during the function.

He introduced Ron first by reminding guests that the jovial Ulsterman was a Manchester & District Referee Society member who officiated Mid Cheshire College Rugby Club matches on the pitch where Nalfloc offices are now located.

Sam added: “Ron must have seen something about Mid Cheshire College in the early days to pick us as his club over arch-rivals Winnington Park.

“He has served the club for nearly 50 years in various roles but he was pivotal in pioneering the Northwich Festival which became the financial life blood of our club for many years.

“We are greatly indebted to Ron for his contribution in helping to establish the club as it is today.”

Sam then introduced former head coach Roger Blake.

He said “If there was one event that pinpoints to the rise of our club, initially as Mid Cheshire College, now Northwich, was the appointment of Roger Blake as head coach in the 1979/80 season.

“His vision, his ideas, his coaching methods, his philosophy, was hugely instrumental in taking the club forward on the playing side.

“I’m sure we all agree that we are where we are today because of the massive influence Roger had on the field, and he laid the foundations for future success the moment he arrived.

“Roger has also served as a representative of the club on the Cheshire RU committee for many years and was president of our club for several seasons before retiring from the role last season.”

Northwich missed the chance to climb the North West Level Five league table when their match against Manchester was postponed on Saturday due to severe wintry conditions.

The Cheadle Hulme based club tried their utmost to make the pitch playable when an army of members assembled early Saturday morning but in vain.

Next up for Northwich is a return fixture away to Wirral where Blacks will seek to avenge their defeat at Moss Farm, and if all the other results are favourable will see director of rugby Martin Poste’s side in the lofty position of fifth.

Northwich's seconds will attempt to retain their top position when they entertain Macclesfield's thirds, while Northwich's thirds have a free weekend due to Moore Rugby Club scratching their second XV.